Arrrggghhh - trying to choose a new inflatable dinghy!

Aeolus

Aeolus

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I need a compact, lightweight but good quality inflatable dinghy as a tender for my 30' sailing boat. Compact because I have limited storage space and I have a Torqeedo 1003s electric outboard which has limited power. Lightweight because I will usually be lifting it single-handed. And I want it to have a built-in seat for rowing so that rules out the Bombard AX models.

After endless internet trawling I think I may have narrowed the choice down to:
  • Zodiac Cadet 230 roll up
  • Bombard Max 2 roll up
  • 3D 230 (or maybe 250)
Does anyone have any views on these or suggestions for better models?

Thanks in advance....Jonathan
 
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Pär said:
I bought a Takacat. Made in New Zeeland, have not tested it yet but it felt right ☺ I really hope it is good.
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Forgot to add - limited budget. Takacat's, whilst looking very attractive, seem to go for close on £1500 - more than double my limit.
 
  • compact
  • lightweight
  • good quality
  • limited budget
I see !

Let us all know when you find one that means that spec.

Seriously have also thought of a round tail, they tend to be a bit more compact and should be Ok with the Torqeedo If so a good secondhand Avon Redstart would be worth considering
 
Provided you don't want to haul it up beaches and slipways regularly then a3D fits the bill. At least that is what I have just bought. Clearly not as robust as a heavy PVC but half the weight and much smaller packed. I chose a round tail as not interested in a motor but it would be fine with your otor. Not as good motoring as a hard transom but more buoyant and greater capacity for size.
 
Excel 230 RT (round tail). Good for 2 up but OK with 3. Takes my 3.3hp 2 stroke without problem. Quality build at a sensible price.
 
VicS said:
  • compact
  • lightweight
  • good quality
  • limited budget
I see !

Let us all know when you find one that means that spec.

Seriously have also thought of a round tail, they tend to be a bit more compact and should be Ok with the Torqeedo If so a good secondhand Avon Redstart would be worth considering
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I thought that Redstarts are rather heavy for single-handed lifting - is that not the case?
 
Aeolus said:
I need a compact, lightweight but good quality inflatable dinghy as a tender for my 30' sailing boat. Compact because I have limited storage space and I have a Torqeedo 1003s electric outboard which has limited power. Lightweight because I will usually be lifting it single-handed. And I want it to have a built-in seat for rowing so that rules out the Bombard AX models.
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When I was looking a couple of years ago, I decided on the Zodiac Cadet 240 Aero, which now seems to have been superceded by the Cadet 230 Aero. It's a great little dinghy, not too heavy, feels much more substantial than the 3D range. I use mine with a Torqeedo too.
 
bought a 3D 250 two years ago and has plenty of use. 2.5hp outboard and it almost plans one up. Comes complete with ali seat and the usual rubbish oars. Been pleased so far and even our 20 kg dog has failed to damage it.
 
I have a Plastimo 2.6 and it is ok APART from the fact that the floor boards are ply and are delaminating and heavy and the transom is ply and so of limited life as well as being heavy. Whatever dinghy you get the first thing is to get rid of the standard oars and buy the next size up, even 30mm extra length makes a massive difference to the rowing of inflatables. You can then do proper length strokes rather than the silly dipping motion you mostly see on rowed inflatables.
 
Kelpie said:
Not at all. I stick mine on my shoulder and can quite happily walk down the slip with it.
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It is still a heavy boat compared with the 3D - over 10kg heavier and comparable with the current PVC clones of the redstart. Don't get me wrong, it is a great boat - I have had the bigger Redcrest for over 30 years, but bought the 3D because of the light weight and the fact that you can actually pack it easily into the standard bag for stowage. Recognise it will not be as durable as heavier dinghies but for occasional use should be fine.

Always a trade off between weight and robustness so if you want a hard wearing long lived dinghy you have to accept the greater weight, although there are some really good dinghies that are lighter than the average such as Lodestar but the penalty there is higher cost.
 
Aeolus said:
And I want it to have a built-in seat for rowing so that rules out the Bombard AX models.
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I don't think it necessarily has to - I have an AX4 which rows quite well with an inflatable seat. With both seat and tubes blown up hard, it wedges securely in place, you have to let one or the other down a bit to move it.

Pete
 
I have a 250 3D inflatable, and it is really light and easy to handle SH. I haven't used it enough to comment its longevity, though. Looking at the site recently, I noticed they now do a hypalon 240. I've just checked the weights. On the one hand it's a bit heavier (16.9 kg) than the 250 (14.5 kg), but it should be more robust and on the other hand, it's not black. While I expect to use mine only at these northerly latitudes, I'd be interested to hear what users have to say about using the black 3D in sunny climes...

Just a small note: if the OP's thrust is lightness and handleability, those correspondents offering alternatives could usefully stipulate the weight of their suggestions.........
 
C08 said:
I have a Plastimo 2.6 and it is ok APART from the fact that the floor boards are ply and are delaminating and heavy and the transom is ply and so of limited life as well as being heavy. Whatever dinghy you get the first thing is to get rid of the standard oars and buy the next size up, even 30mm extra length makes a massive difference to the rowing of inflatables. You can then do proper length strokes rather than the silly dipping motion you mostly see on rowed inflatables.
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30mm ?
 
I have a 3d 250 and am satisfied with it. It planes one-up with a Tohatsu 3.5hp, though my 35kg dog did puncture the floor; the price you pay for skimping on canine pedicures. Personally, I think it rows well. (The boat, not the dog.)
 
Quiddle said:
I have a 3d 250 and am satisfied with it. It planes one-up with a Tohatsu 3.5hp, though my 35kg dog did puncture the floor; the price you pay for skimping on canine pedicures. Personally, I think it rows well. (The boat, not the dog.)
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+1 Sense of humour :-)
 
Aeolus said:
I need a compact, lightweight but good quality inflatable dinghy as a tender for my 30' sailing boat. Compact because I have limited storage space and I have a Torqeedo 1003s electric outboard which has limited power. Lightweight because I will usually be lifting it single-handed. And I want it to have a built-in seat for rowing so that rules out the Bombard AX models.




After endless internet trawling I think I may have narrowed the choice down to:
  • Zodiac Cadet 230 roll up
  • Bombard Max 2 roll up
  • 3D 230 (or maybe 250)
Does anyone have any views on these or suggestions for better models?

Thanks in advance....Jonathan
Click to expand...

If you are still without....I have for a sale an almost mint Plastimo PL240 as listed on the for sale pages?
Regards,
Laurie
 
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Thanks for the offer but I found an as-new second hand 3D 230. I did look at a Plastimo 240 but it wouldn't fit in the limited space I had, whereas the 3D does.
 
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